As previously announced, this coming Sabbath, we have the opportunity to participate in a combined service with local United Church of God congregations here in Central California. The timing allows us to reflect upon the emphasis Christ placed on the unity of the body of believers who would be brought together through His sacrifice. “Now…

In the next month or so, we have planned two church services where we (TFC) plan to hold a combined church service with two other COG groups – UCG and COGWA. These services are local to us here in Central California. Some have asked why we are doing this so I would like to explain.…

We experience a lot of emotions this time of year as we prepare to take the Passover. We process many thoughts as we prayerfully look inside to see what it is that God sees. Then we come to whatever conclusions the Holy Spirit leads us to. We will see areas where we have grown, but…

When addressing the Church in Corinth during a time when their observance of Passover had become lax, the Apostle Paul admonished them to examine themselves [to test, try, to be approved]. They were to consider deeply in order to make the necessary changes to be ready to take the Passover in a reverent manner. Today…

As we read, watch and listen to events currently taking place in the world around us, what are we learning? Are we able to inculcate spiritual values and lessons from the physical? The world, in general, is unable to determine spiritual values due to the absence of God’s Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:11). However, we…

Taking in the news these days can be overwhelming in many ways, but it can also be very helpful. Various news sources present what they do, seemingly with tunnel vision. Whatever their political guy says or does is right and true regardless of any facts that may point in an opposite direction, either to the…

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:6). Here are some quotes from different sources this past week: Right now, American resolve is crucial. And yet we can see the sunset…

We live in a time of great and dangerous change on the world scene. It is not something strange in that we have been caught unaware. Many of us have known and understood, to one degree or another, biblical prophecy of the last days for many decades, depending on when we were first exposed to…

In Proverbs 27:17 we are told that “as iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” A quick reading of that proverb may make us think that it is a license to correct others in the Body of Christ. But if we meditate on it, the implications are more profound. The…

Is there a remedy for the discouragement that one can feel when staying aware of all the negativity that is put forth as news every day? Is there a pill that can relieve the stress and gloom that can settle in one’s mind? Perhaps there are drugs available that can cloud the mind and numb…

How important are relationships within the Body of Christ? This question is prompted by the state of affairs in what we broadly refer to as “the world.” The world is a generic term for planet earth and all life on it, including human civilization. We use it generally to address our environment. Currently, much press…

level”:4} –> Myth There is a bill that just went into effect in Canada last week that is being called a “conversion therapy ban”. Its focus is on traditional biblical sexuality, which is now being labeled as a myth – a false idea. According to civil law, anyone found counseling any person in biblical sexuality…

Cultural Relativism As ethical and cultural attitudes change, it is difficult to keep up with the terminology used to label the shifts. We have become accustomed to what is labelled “multiculturalism”, as it has impacted our societies. This is where a different cultural or ethnic group maintain their culture while existing in a dominant culture.…